Combined Effects of Electroacupuncture and Behavioral Training on Learning-Memory Ability and Event-Related Potential P300 in Rats with Mid/Advanced Cerebral Infarction

Background: The effectiveness of the combination of electroacupuncture (EA) and behavioral training (BT) for mid/advanced cerebral infarction (M/ACI) and related mechanisms remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the combined effects on the learning-memory ability and event-related potential P300 in rats with M/ACI. Methods: Eighty rats with M/ACI were divided into Group Model (M), Group EA, Group BT, and Group EA-BT (n = 20) according to the random number with five healthy rats in Group Control (CON). On the 6th week after modeling, EA, BT, and EA-BT were given to Group EA, Group BT, and Group EA-BT, respectively, whereas Group M and Group CON were not given any intervention. Y-maze test and P300 were recorded before and after the intervention. Results: After intervention, the P300 latency was lower and the amplitude was higher in the Group EA-BT, Group EA, and Group BT than before (for latency, t = −7.638, −4.334, and −5.916; for amplitude, t = 8.125, 3.846, and 5.238; P 0.05). While the performances of Y-maze tests in the Group EA-BT, Group EA, and Group BT were all better than before (t = 10.359, 4.520, and 7.791, P< 0.01), with Group EA-BT better than Group EA (t = 5.627, P< 0.01) and Group BT (t = 2.913, P< 0.01) respectively, and Group BT better than Group EA (t = 2.912, P< 0.01). Conclusion: EA or BT can affect P300 in rats with M/ACI, and the combination of these two methods can significantly improve the learning-memory ability. Key words: Cerebral Infarction; Electroacupuncture; Event-Related Potentials; Exercise Therapy; P300; Rats